Synthesis and properties of sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) membranes containing metallophthalocyanine

Metallophthalocyanine (MPc) is a potent catalyst for hydrogen peroxide oxidation (H2O2 -> 2H(+) + O-2 + 2e(-)). The properties of membranes with and without MPc have been studied in this study. Poly(ether sulfone)s containing MPc (Ni and Co) (PMPc) were prepared by two-step reaction from 1,4-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2,3-dicyanonaphthlene, 4,4-biphenol and 4,4-fluorophenylsulfone, and were followed reaction with metal (II) chloride (Ni and Co) and 1,2-dicyanobenzene in quinoline. The sulfonated PMPc (SPMPc) were synthesized by sulfonation reaction of PMPc with chlorosulfuric acid in methylene chloride. All these membranes were casted from dimethylacetamide (DMAc). The structural properties of the synthesized polymers were investigated by H-1 NMR spectroscopy and FT-IR. The membranes were studied by ion exchange capacity (IEC), water uptake, and proton conductivity. These membranes were then subjected to a deterioration test by Fenton reagent and compared with normal sulfonated poly(ether sulfone)s and Nafion in order to determine the role of MPc. Membranes containing MPc was shown to have better chemical stability that those without MPc. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.